Physical Disabilities: The First Step Is Understanding

Information and Technical Assistance on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) explains the ADA and answers questions about its provisions in a straightforward manner. The site is just as useful for businesses and other service providers looking to check regulations and requirements of the act as it is for individuals.

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) aims to ensure that the Americans with Disabilities Act is strictly enforced. Follow the updates at this site for information about AAPD events and action alerts, or review the "Disability Resources" page to access additional disability Web sites.

The U.S. Department of Labor Disability Resources page supplies information about disability laws and regulations that apply to the workplace. Employers can find information about hiring policies and discrimination protection for people with disabilities. Disabled individuals looking to start a small business or become self-employed can also find advice here.

The National Organization on Disability focuses on explaining how men, women, and children with disabilities can still be active participants in social, religious, political, and employment settings. This site also furnishes information about gaining independence with regard to transportation, housing, health care, and education.

The U.S. Department of Education has a page about Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. The site explains legislative requirements for the education of children with disabilities, regulations about academic achievement standards for children with disabilities, and policy guidance, which addresses topics such as the Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004.

The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) provides a network of about 100 national disability organizations that advocates for public policies beneficial to people with disabilities. This site features legislative information and updates about disabilities issues, and it lists the many task forces in the CCD currently working on public policy efforts.

The World Institute on Disability is a public policy center for people with disabilities. The Resources section of this site will connect you to other advocacy and legal services, accessibility resources, and disability organizations.

The American Bar Association Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law provides legal updates to disability laws in the United States and allows you to search for disability lawyers in your area. Some of the material on this site can be difficult to comprehend if you are not familiar with legal terminology. The Comprehensive Disability Law Service is provided on a subscription basis, for $410 a year; a free trial of this service is available.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) explains eligibility requirements, application procedures, and the laws supporting the SSI assistance program. SSI provides financial assistance to disabled, blind, and elderly people with little or no income.

The U.S. Department of Labor Office of Workers' Compensation Programs elaborates on the disability compensation programs for workers injured on the job. Use this site to find resources to help you determine what government benefits you may be eligible to receive. Click the "state workers' compensation board link" to reach workers' compensation officials in your state.

The Technical Assistance Collaborative (TAC) provides information about housing issues and human services projects for people with disabilities. TAC also addresses homelessness issues for people with disabilities. To access resources that can help with housing problems, see the "Help for Individuals" page.